Riley told TNF analytics expert Sam Schwartzstein to think big when developing ideas. Schwartzstein worked with the XFL during its 2020 startup, overseeing everything from the rule book to how players and coaches were paid. He said this was a big step up in machine-based insight compared to the rules-based insight he was doing three years ago.
Defensive alerts are an AI-powered feature that will identify players in real-time with the best odds of rushing the quarterback. It tracks player movements before the snap. Via machine learning and custom logic, a highlighted circle appears under what is considered a potential pass rusher.The feature is driven by a neural network that initially was loaded with nearly 35,000 plays. The network will continue to grow with this season’s games.
“When we went to the film, it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s a big guy. We don’t need to highlight the big guy. He’s in a three-point stance.’ It’s like we lived in this data world for so long. It’s still about football and what you see on the screen,” he said. “That’s how we’re trying to translate what we’re able to do from a huge data set prediction.”
The Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats feed uses an all-22 coach’s camera angle but includes announcers Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit and sideline reports from Kaylee Hartung.